How does one find respite care? I won’t put my wife in nursing home but I really need a break.- Doug S.

Caregiving is an enormous job, and you do need breaks.  See below for some local (Rochester, New York area) resources for respite care. Your hesitancy to place your wife in a nursing home is understandable, but do be aware that not all nursing homes are the same. You might want to arrange some tours so you can get a feel for different places in case of an unforeseen event in the future, like a need for rehab. Knowing your options is always preferable to finding yourself in an emergency situation and making decisions at a stressful time.

Keep in mind that some of the potential respite providers you find at the links below may have minimum and/or maximum stay requirements and other criteria for respite services, so be sure to ask:

TheElderPages.com is a source of local support services available through the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly. They have lists of respite care providers, both facility-based and home-based.

www.theelderpages.com

The Alzheimer’s Association is also a resource for available services. They are sometimes able to provide some limited respite hours as well. They are also a good source for local support groups.

www.alz.org/rochesterny

They have a 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900

Lifespan is a great agency for information on local services, advocacy for older adults, information workshops and classes.  

info@lifespanrochester.org

 585-244-8400

Good luck and I hope you get a well-deserved rest!